The NFL is just around the corner with training camps opening left and right and the preseason just a few weeks away. The AFC South had three teams with a .500 record or better last season — could the division pull that off again?
AFC South Position Rankings:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs
Let's take a look at the over/under totals for each AFC South team, courtesy of Bovada:
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Indianapolis Colts: 9
Bovada places the highest over/under total on the Indianapolis Colts, who are fresh off of missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1997-1998. Andrew Luck missed nine games in 2015 and wasn't quite right last season, but a lot of that is because he was pummeled by opposing defenses and sacked 41 times.
The offensive line needs to be better, and if Luck can stay on his feet, the Colts should be able to compete for the division title. Nine games feels about right for the Colts in 2017.
Verdict: Push
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Houston Texans: 8.5
The Texans went 9-7 with inconsistent quarterback play last year but made a run into the playoffs, defeating a Oakland Raiders team without Derek Carr before falling to the Patriots. This year, quarterback play again figures to be the biggest challenge — Houston will start either Tom Savage or rookie Deshaun Watson.
Houston's defense wil be again among the best in the NFL, but defense won't win 9 games unless it's consistently scoring points. J.J. Watt and co. can only do so much.
Verdict: Under (barely)
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Tennessee Titans: 8.5
The Titans are one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL. It feels like they've shored up most of the team's holes in the draft and free agency. After fixing the offensive line over the past few seasons, Tennessee went out and found more weapons for Marcus Mariota. Now he has DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry in the backfield, Delanie Walker, Jace Amaro and rookie Jonnu Smith at tight end, and Rishard Matthews, Eric Decker and rookie Corey Davis at wide receiver.
Tennessee signed big-time free agents on defense (Logan Ryan, Jonathan Cyprien), spent a high draft pick on a corner (Adoree Jackson) and looked primed to improve in all facets.
The Titans should be the favorite to win the division. Take the over.
Verdict: Over (Bet the house, baby) (Actually, don't, that's irresponsible)
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Jacksonville Jaguars: 6
A 6-win season would actually be the best season of the short career of quarterback Blake Bortles. In three seasons his best showing has been a 5-win season. Now, not everything falls on the QB. The organization is far from the best run in the league and many of their free agent signings (especially on defense) haven't seemed to work out.
Still, a winning team needs a winning quarterback, and that just hasn't been Blake Bortles so far. Would you bet on him to turn it around? I sure won't.
Verdict: Under
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Super Bowl Odds
Houston Texans: plus-2200
Indianapolis Colts: plus-3300
Tennessee Titans: plus-4000
Jacksonville Jaguars: plus-10000
According to Bovada, Oddsmakers don't place a ton of trust in the AFC South's chances to win a Super Bowl. The Texans have the best odds in the division at plus-2200, tied with the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers for the 8th-best odds in the NFL. (Oddly enough, the AFC South team with the biggest question marks at quarterback has the best Super Bowl odds — that should tell you how good their defense is).
Behind the Texans, Indianapolis comes in 13th with plus-3300 odds (tied with the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and the Titans are 17th with plus-4000 odds (tied with the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens)
The Jaguars hold up the rear in the division with plus-10000 odds, tied for 26th among NFL teams with the Buffalo Bills and the Chicago Bears.
The Bovada odds are led by the New England Patriots (plus-375), the Green Bay Packers (plus-750) and a Dallas, Seattle, Oakland, Pittsburgh tie (plus-1200). Atlanta is plus-1600, rounding out the teams ahead of Houston on the list.
